We eat an onion bagel and automatically need to pop a piece of sugar-free gum, but when we really stop and think about it, what exactly causes bad breath? When talking stats, one in four people in the United States suffer from bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis. The number one cause of this is lack of proper dental care but there are also certain diseases and foods that cause that smelly sensation in your mouth.

To rid yourself of bad breath there are a couple of options for you. You can start cleaning your tongue for starters! This practice is common in Asia, and is recently catching on in the States. Brushing your tongue gets rid of dead cells that can promote bacterial growth.

You should also try eating less meat and more vegetables, like your mother always told you! Of course, stay away from things like garlic and onions, but did you know that cheese, juices, and sodas could also be causing your bad breath? After a meal, popping a piece of gum is a-okay to help clear away food particles and stave off bad smells.

Bad breath can also be linked to such things as dry mouth. When the mouth becomes extremely dry, dead cells aren’t washed away, leading to a build up that can further inhibit saliva. Other chronic diseases like, kidney or liver failure, diabetes, and lung infections can also be linked to causing halitosis. If you smoke, tobacco is a definite cause of bad breath and bad oral health.

If your bad breath is a problem you can’t deal with on your own, that’s what your dentist is for! Talk to them about ways to fix the problem at the root cause!

http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/oral-conditions/beating-bad-breath.aspx